Posting days: Sunday and Wednesday and, sometimes, maybe, extra bits in between.

Sunday January 13th 2019

I receive a delightful e-mail this week from L., whose poodles Dougie and Fergie featured more than once in the blog.

L. moved away from Birmingham last April and is very much missed by we  Kings Heath and Highbury Park dog walkers.

Isis took most of her earliest off-lead walks in their company. They were all very patient with her, even when she stopped for twenty minutes to dance on her grass mound, refused to move at all, or veered off the path causing us to dash after and retrieve her. She was very relaxed around them.

Dougie and Fergie, L, tells me a day or two ago, have a very new baby ‘sister’, Maisie.

L. has always had rescued or rehomed dogs, and longed to bring up a puppy. Her family clubbed together and for her Christmas and birthday got her a very special pup.

The photo below was taken when pup first arrived at her new home.

She’s on the right looking apprehensive; Dougie, in the middle, seems very smug. He definitely has the ‘I’m the one on her lap’ expression.

But it’s Fergie’s face which says it all: ‘Dougie’s on her lap, he’s holding someone smelly who shouldn’t be here, and no-one’s taking any notice of me.

Hmmm. First impressions can be very hard to abandon, Fergie.

Here is a close up of little sister.

Who could resist her?

What was that, Fergie?

Despite their misgivings, the boys have been good with Maisie (most of the time) says L.

Fergie remains unimpressed with her and tries to pretend she’s not there, while  Dougie tolerates her. Unfortunately for Dougie, she adores him. They play chase in the garden and Maisie finds little nooks and crannies to hide in.

Even so, according to L., Dougie must have been very deeply asleep for Maisie to have managed to do this ……………………………………

Here are the five litter mates. I think that Maisie may be the one who goes into reverse, but I’m not certain!

Maisie is too young to walk in public places yet, but, ensconced in a puppy papoose, accompanies her brothers on their walks!

I ask L. how she ever gets anything done with this squishable little charmer around. She doesn’t get much done beyond dog walking, she tells me.

Maisie has taken over.

Isis came from the Aeza cat and dog rescue and adoption centre in Aljezur, Portugal. For information about adopting an animal from the centre, contact kerry@aeza.org or  www.dogwatchuk.co.uk